9 Things That Can Get Your Passport Photo Rejected

A
passport is your ticket to visit the world so the last thing you need
is to get all the documentation and money in order and sent out, only
to be delayed because your passport photo does not fit within the
government's parameters of acceptable criteria. To ensure you don't
make the nine possible blunders rendering your pictures useless, make
sure you follow the guidelines listed below.

First, you need to make sure that your
passport photo is clear, well-composed, and your face is looking
directly at the camera. Those photos that are not front-facing, have
shadows falling across the face and background, or show an expression
that lacks neutrality will not be accepted. The same goes if your
position is not centered; subjects off to one side or the other are not
permissible passport photos.

Size and depth of field are also key elements to an acceptable
passport photo. Your photo needs to clearly show you from the tip of
your head to just under the clavicle. Subjects that are photographed
too close up will not be able to use the photo as it distorts your
appearance. The same goes if you are photographed too far away;
any distortion of your head size and features will immediately render
your photos useless.

Your pose and expression need to be looking directly forward
with a neutral expression, such as keeping your lips gently pressed
together, eyes open naturally, looking directly into the lens. Tilting
your head forward or backward, looking down, or an emotive expression
such as an overly excited face will ensure that you cannot use the
photo for your passport.

If you wear glasses in your passport photo, it will be rejected unless you submit a letter form your doctor declaring you have a medical reason to wear them.
The reason for this recent change in passport photo regulations is due to the fact that unacceptable photos was the number one reason applications were denied. Glasses often cause shadows on the face, have a glare, or
are tinted and hinder seeing the eyes of the applicant clearly. To avoid this, you should remove your glasses for the photo even if you need to wear them daily.

Certain attires are prohibited from passport photos, and there are
limitations to how your hair can be worn. Once again this is about
obscurity, so no hats, hair in the face, scarves, or things such as
pacifiers if you have a toddler needing a photo. You cannot have
anything that cast shadows on your face or obscures it in any way; this
pertains to scarves as well because your neck needs to be visible. Head
scarves can be worn if used for religious purposes, but as with the
other items mentioned, it cannot affect the appearance of your face.

Your photo needs to have accurate shadows and lighting; this
means that it needs to be clear and show your skin tone precisely with
the proper exposure and no shadows. Black and white, too dark, too
bright, and color tinted photos are not allowed. If the contrast is too
high or there is exaggerated shine on areas of the photo, it will not
be accepted. Again no shadows on your face or in the background.

The only accepted background your picture can have is one that
is uniform, typically white or off-white with zero shadows. No items
can be placed behind you, no colored backgrounds, and no patterned
backgrounds; children they need to be photographed on their own and
cannot be held by a parent in the photo. If these rules are not adhered
to, your photo will not be accepted.

The size, resolution, and quality limitations are precise; the
photo must be two inches by two inches with the head length no smaller
than 1 inch and no bigger than 1.4 inches. It cannot be pixelated,
blurred, unfocused, have a printer pattern or dots, or be in motion. If
it is not perfectly clear and within the size parameters, it will not
be accepted.

Children's photos need to adhere to the same regulations as
adults. This means clear, facing the camera, and looking forward with a
neutral expression. There can be no shadows, obstructions of the face
or background. The photos must have the same size, quality, and
resolution as adult photos with nothing and no one behind them other
than the white background.

Obstruction, shadows, and clarity are common themes among all of these
nine mistakes. If you adhere to the regulations and follow the sizing
guidelines, you should not have to worry about your photos. You can make passport photos at home but there is a much greater risk of having them rejected. There are many locations to get a passport photo.
Getting them done by a passport acceptance agent in a post office or at
a government passport agency can ensure that they are done correctly.
Otherwise, make sure you go to a business that specializes in passport
photos and is trained to make sure your photos meet the specific
criteria of the government, giving you one less thing to worry about.